Pretoria - While South Africa has significant challenges, it should not downplay its achievements, International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Nomaindiya Mfeketo says.
“Yes, we have significant challenges. We are grappling with them but we must be cautious not to downplay our achievements when we stress about our challenges,” she said on Thursday.
She was speaking at a public participation programme, which forms part of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
IORA is an association of 20 member states that are brought together by a shared commitment to build a stable, secure and prosperous Indian Ocean region.
The Deputy Minister said the South Africa of 2014 is not the same as the South Africa of 1994. She also thanked Australia for commemorating Mandela Day on the birthday of former President Nelson Mandela, who passed away in December 2013.
“Like many others in South Africa, I was encouraged by these important statements.
“I encourage you to maintain this interest through continued engagement with our embassy here in Australia. The embassy will be in a better position to provide you with information than other sources which tend to be motivated by ulterior motives,” said the Deputy Minister.
She said that in the 20 years of democracy, government has been hard at work.
“We have been working hard to re-orientate a racialised system, infrastructure and personnel, which were geared at serving a small minority,” said the Deputy Minister.
South Africa has been endorsed as the next vice chair of IORA with effect from 2015 to 2017, after which it will take the chairpersonship from 2017 to 2019. – SAnews.gov.za
